On Saturday the 21st of February, The Folk of Gloucester is playing host to a unique, immersive night of music and storytelling commemorating and celebraring the Ingush (Ghalghai) people of the North Caucasus. In 1944, the Ingush people were driven out of their homeland on the orders of Stalin. In this show, award-winning singer-songwriter Daria Kulesh fearlessly explores her heritage and turbulent family history through songs that “aren’t just sung, but lived” (FATEA).
Echoes of Ingushetia combines Daria’s mesmerising performance with creative contributions from Gloucester residents – originally from Ingushetia – Milana Albakova and Said Olbak. Said plays the unique and haunting traditional string instrument, dakhchan pandar, while Milana’s exhibition is inspired by her own personal experiences of leaving Ingushetia. In music and spoken word, the performance explores the turbulent history of the region from 1944 through 1992 to the present.
“We found the experience unforgettable: insights into a hitherto unknown people and their culture, overcome by the cruelty of mega state power, told through the lives of the past and present. Truly folk music at its best.” The Lightship, Blyth – audience feedback
Daria Kulesh – “the voice of fairytales” – has been described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters on the present folk scene”. Her latest album, MotherLand, has been described as “one of the albums of 2025” in a 5-star review by RnR Magazine. Recently, it’s been awarded Album of the Year by Celtic Music Radio.
Daria Kulesh in traditional dress in the ruins of an Ingushetian building
Daria has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, sharing stories and songs that are deeply personal but feel universal and timeless. Every performance is an “emotional, compelling and uplifting experience”, leaving the audiences “completely spellbound”. The date of the event is particularly important as it commemorates the deportation of the Ingush, including Daria’s own Grandmother, on the orders of Stalin on 23 February 1944. Daria recounts this story through her 2016 song, The Moon and the Pilot.
Audiences are invited to experience an engaging, enchanting and uplifting journey, resonant with our turbulent times and celebrating heritage, humanity, and hope. All of this will take place in the historic setting of The Folk of Gloucester: a 500-year-old building and cultural centre located at 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2PG. As always, hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available at the in-house café and bar.
Tickets to the event (£15 / £12 concessions) can be purchased here.